Organ concert in Strážov

On 30 September, a concert dedicated to the memory of František Stadler, the father of the founder of our foundation, took place at St. George's Church in Strážov. This musical event was an unforgettable experience, during which chamber works arranged for organ and violin were performed by Jakub David Smešný and Kristýna Prančlová.

The main aim of the concert was to draw attention to the urgent condition of the local organ, which is not only historically valuable, but also seriously damaged and in need of extensive reconstruction.

According to an expert opinion, we know that the organ in Strážov was built by brothers Johann Mathias and Ferdinand Guth in 1815 and is a magnificent example of the top organ builder's craft of the late Baroque period. The Guth family, originally from Čistá near Rakovník, had a significant influence on the development of organ building from the 18th to the 19th century over a wide area of Bohemia. The Strážov organ is an iconic example of the Guth organ with its characteristic architecture, decoration and register layout. Unfortunately, this organ is currently in a state of disrepair, having last been restored more than 120 years ago. Recent repairs have focused on keeping the instrument in playable condition and replacing the most damaged parts with wormwood. The goal of the future restoration is to return the organ to its original sound quality and completely restore all parts.

As organizers of the concert, we hope that the concert has helped to inform the wider public about the importance of this historic organ and its current condition. The concert was held in cooperation with the parish of Strážov and the local town hall, with whom we have a strong partnership and a common desire to preserve the cultural heritage of the region. This event reminded us and will remind us in the future how important it is to take care of our cultural treasures and preserve them for future generations.